Fill the pot with lukewarm, filtered water and a pinch of salt. Hot water is irritating and dangerous. Cool water is not soothing.

Tilt your head to the side as shown in the picture at the beginning of this article.

Insert spout of neti pot gently into the raised nostril creating a seal between the neti pot and the nostril. If it drains out of your mouth, lower your forehead in relation to your chin. Relax. If you are calm, the water flows right through. But if you aren't, it just won't flow. If you keep breathing through your mouth, relaxed, the water should gently flow through the nose on its own. There's no forcing it.

Raise the neti pot slowly to develop a steady flow of saline solution through the upper nostril and out the lower nostril.

During the process breathe through your mouth.

When you're done, exhale firmly several times to clear the nasal passages, and blow your nose.

Reverse the tilt of your head and repeat the process on the other side.